The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-05-01
NUMBER 46.
THINKS HE WILL WITHDRAW.
hr. bisston on the states Recovery of
Alleged Reclaimed Land.
sanford Argus

Alleged Reclaimed Land.
Sanford Argus
NEW YORK, April 22, 1887.
Editor Of the South Florida Argus. Sanford,
Florida.
DEAR SIR-A couple OF days ago, while
! ON business in Philadelphia. | had the
4 pleasure of meeting III. Disston, ESQ. aud
/ several other gentlemen connected with
I his land and drainage operations in South
+ Florida, IL happened 10 thst just ON the
eve of our meeting they received an Of
4 iicial communication from the authori-
/ ties of the State of Florida, to return 10
I the State all the lands decided to them
Ia consideration of their draining opera
tions during the last two o. three years.
In "A long interview upon the subject
MIR, Disston stated to me the whole
story of the enterprise, and HE
present situation concerning the matter.
Authorizing me to make the interview
public, he, among other things, said
w hen. several years ago. L was con
templating 10 make those Investments In
Florida, my friends warned me not To do
50. as. in course of time, local parties
will drag Ele into their home struggles
and. when required by circumstances,
make scapegoat of me. 1 would not
believe it, invested heavy and brought
millions of dollars and thousands of peo-
pie into the State. Now | begin To think
that they were right, and am about To
make up my mind to withdraw.
The drainage operations were con
ducted in good faith from our part for
several years. we spent lots of money,
aud brought vast area into cultivation.
Several times State Engineers and differ
ent commissions examined our work and
pronounced il thoroughly and well done.
The lands, thus reclaimed and earned,
were decided Ia us in due course, and we
made all preparations to push the work
ahead even ON "A larger scale than here
totore. But the recent actions of the
state authorit' es will put "A check To that.
| do not care to have anything more to
do with it, | will fight them in the
courts for twenty years, IL neces-
s, ", for what we have already
done, and what we consider due
Ia us, but ann not going to take any
more chances" He added, that recently
he is ashamed Ia say, he was obliged to
make a sworn affidavit before Notary
Public, that Ex-Governor Bloxham has
not, and never had, any interest in any
way. shape, or form. direct or indirect,
M amy of his enterprises in Florida.
|, myself, certainly do not pretend Ia
express any opinion upon the subject, 80
far as the facts in question are concerned.
have heard good deal about the case,
from both sides, and you yourself. MIR.
Editor, undoubtedly, are aware of the
discussions and statements, recently
plbIisl ed in several of our local news
newspapers, but, nevert h | ess,
there is AT least one side
of the question, which is open TO discus
sion now and ought 10 attract the utmost
attention of the people of our part of the
State, whoever Mr.. Disston or the State.
are wrong or right. That questionable
question Of fairness and impartiality III
our public dealings-is certainly "A most
important one for the credit and good
standing of our State, and our people
ought to see that fair show is given To
every enterprise which brings Northern
capital TO develop our natural resources.
II we will allow that capital To be
dragged into local politics, and leave IL
there al the mercy of every politician
VINO chooses 10 select that course as "a
powerful weapon against his adversaries,
we will be left pretty soon by ourselves;
capital is generally tery shy, and does
pot care to remain where Il IL unpro-
Tected.
|. certainly, do not mean 10 say, that
that Is the case with MIR. Disston and his
enterprise; but the statements are open
ly made to that effect and, once II is so,
! claim that il Is our duty TO see that an
impartial and thorough investigation Of
the whole affair is made at once, and
justice done to all parties concerned. III
Mr. Dsston and his associates did not
comply with the requirements OF their
contract with the State, let them stand
the consequences: if the State authorities
abused our Irust, let us know il and act
accordingly; we must know the truth,
put the blame where il really belongs,
and protect our good name and standing.
Very respectfully yours,
+. A. DEaENs.